JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli forces arrested overnight 40 Palestinians following Thursday's deadly attack in the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement Friday.
The IDF troops operated in the West Bank city Ramallah following the shooting attack at the Asaf Junction, in which two IDF soldiers were killed and another IDF soldier as well as a civilian were severely injured, the statement said.
According to the Israeli army, 40 suspects were arrested in the joint operation of the IDF, Israel's Shin Bet security service and police forces.
They were suspected of "involvement in terrorist activities, popular terror and violent riots against civilians and security forces," the army added. And 37 of the suspects were said to be activists of Islamic Hamas movement.
The suspects were transferred to security forces for further questioning.
"The IDF will continue operating in order to thwart terrorism and preserve security in the area," the Israeli army said.
A statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Thursday following the deadly attack that Israel will continue home demolition of the assailants and build new homes for settlers.
